March 2026 – Entering State and County Fairs
Have you ever been to the fair and looked at the many sewing entries and wondered to yourself about entering one of your creations? Many of us have been there. SO – We learned how to enter the Linn County fair and the Iowa State Fair. Below are the steps on how to enter your most sewsational project. The lucky ladies who were able to complete their December fabric swap projects shared these before Sew and Share began.
Linn County Fair – Tammy B
June 24-29, 2026
* open to any Iowa resident, not just Linn County residents
* limited to 3 items in Open Admission (different rules for 4H entries)
* sewing: adult clothing, baby/children’s clothing, dolls, accessories, purse/bag, home
* quilting: bed sizes, baby/lap, Quilt of Valor, other (wall hanging, table, etc.)
* needlework: knit, crochet, tat, needlepoint, etc.
* deliver Monday, judges will decide Wednesday, pick up Friday
* website will be updated by April 1
* make sure you are looking for Linn County, Iowa
Iowa State Fair – Emily D
August 13-23, 2026
* Iowa Family Living entry fee is $10 per group (garments, quilts, needlework would be $10 each), then 50 cents per tag for you to attach to each item
* tags will be mailed for you to fill out at home
* drop off Saturday 2 weeks before the fair
* pick up Monday afternoon after the fair
* special categories for US 250th birthday
* do not wear garments before fair
* press well, you will lose lots of points if you neglect pressing
* even if you are the only entry in a category, you are not guaranteed a 1st place ribbon
* state website will be updated in April – check it out to see all rules and categories
